The Games of my Childhood: Hide and Seek
Larong Bata Series: Taguan
Ilonggo/Hiligaynon: Panagu-ay
Cebuano/Sugbuhanon: Tagu-tago
Equipment: A huge tree, lots of open spaces and nooks and crannies
Number of players: minimum 2, to as many
Minimum age: 4 years old
Best time to play: A night, under a really bright full moon; or in the afternoon when adults require all the young to take a nap (siesta)
Mechanics: Using a system to choose the “it” – i.e. rocks-paper-scissor or “maalis-alis” (to be blogged soon) – the it then uses the tree to close his eyes and count till 100 (or 50 depending on what’s been decided amongst the group) and the rest find hiding places – usually nearby and wait till they are free to run up to the tree and “save” themselves while the “it’ is busy looking for the other members. Once the “it” sees you, and calls your name – you will be the next “it”. Everyone will be called out of their hiding place and the countdown begins again.
Tips: Hide somewhere near the “save tree” this way, you can easily run to save yourself. Once saved, you can try looking for the other’s hiding places but be careful not to give them away to the “it”.
Skills children learn while playing this game:
to hide well
to be a thorough seeker
to run fast in order to win and save yourself in a race to the save tree against the it
to be part of a group effort to set rules
to follow the groups agreed upon rules
to accept that at least once you will become “it” too and it’s no big deal
to be magnanimous in winning (everyone hates a humbug)
to enjoy nature, i.e. the open spaces, the save tree, the moon and cool breeze
to enjoy without complicated toys or equipment
to learn to go home when called even if your friends are still playing
